Tony Firshman wrote: > > On Sat, 29 Dec 2001 at 22:00:17, Bill Waugh wrote: > (ref: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>) > > >Yep I spoke to Arnie once or twice, I think the Italian keyboard was > >SPEM, they flogged them off eventually as they fitted straight into the > >QL connector and I bought one it was pretty good. > My experience of these, from the repair end, is bad. > > Good points: > > . Looked good > . Felt good > > Bad points: > > . 'gold' pcb contacts weren't. They oxidised and didn't work well > after many years. Disassembling and cleaning was possible but > very difficult. > > . Suffered very badly from keybounce, esp when oxidised > 8749 developed to overcome this, but destroyed ser2. > Hermes eventually solved this. > > . Ribbon cable to mini kbd connector pcb badly made - wires > broke easily. Solved with my ubiquitous hot glue. > > . Destroyed the QL keyboard sockets for membranes. Yes I eventually needed to use cut off strips of membrane to pad out the slot > > . QL case top destroyed Needed to file a slot in the back of the case to allow cable to sit in
I sold my Spem keyboard on to Dennis Crow ( now deceased ), Dennis just loved it and as I had bought a Di-Ren keyboard and interface I let him have it. The Di-Ren stuff I still have although one of our club members has it on extended loan due to his S/H needing Tony's attention ( my fault I still haven't sent it to him ). I thought the Di-Ren kit was very good and will have it back in my original system soon as I can. Was the Italian firm involved with Sandy called Farmintel or something similar or was that someone else. All the best - Bill
